For Agenda That 'Betrays American People,' Resigning Interior Dept. Advisor Calls on Zinke to Quit

In a scathing letter announcing his own resignation, an Interior Department whistleblower on Wednesday declared that Secretary Ryan Zinke “cannot be trusted” in his role and should step down as well.

“You have played fast and loose with government regulations to score points with your political base at the expense of American health and safety,” wrote Joel Clement, “Secretary Zinke, your agenda profoundly undermines the [Interior Department’s] mission and betrays the American people.”

Clement further accused Zinke, President Trump, and Deputy Secretary David Bernhardt of being “shackled to special interests” as the oil, gas, and mining industries. “You are unwilling to lead on climate change,” he wrote, “and cannot be trusted with out nation’s natural resources.”

Earlier this year Clement spoke out after being removed from his position shortly after reporting on the impact of climate change on native communities in Alaska, where many natives live on narrow barrier islands on which the permafrost is rapidly melting. He was reportedly given no notice when he was reassigned the the department’s accounting team, which he says amounted to a waste of taxpayer dollars.